For the caramelized onions, heat the butter and olive oil in a fire-proof skillet on the grill over medium-low heat. Add the onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Next, add the salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Cook until the onions are a rich, brown color, about 30 minutes longer.

For the spicy goat cheese spread, place the jalapeno directly on the grill over medium high heat. Turn occasionally (approximately once per minute) until blackened on all sides. Should take around 4 - 5 minutes. Remove from grill, place in a zip top bag, and seal, allowing it to steam and cool for approximately ten minutes. Remove jalapeno from bag and peel skin from jalapeno and remove seeds and discard. Chop the remaining jalapeno and mix with the chopped chives and goat cheese. Set aside until it is time to assemble the burgers.

For the honey mustard dressing, mix dijon, honey, siracha, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Set aside until it is time to assemble the burgers.

For the hamburger patties, toast the cumin seeds in a fire proof skillet over medium high heat, until cumin becomes fragrant, around 2 minutes. Grind into a fine powder in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Combine the ground cumin with the ground chuck, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the cumin in the meat. Form into six patties of equal size.

Once all of the condiments are prepared and the onions are caramelized, heat the grill to medium-high. When the grill is nice and hot, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference, 4 to 5 minutes on each side for medium. Once cooked, remove from the grill and set aside under a foil tent while you toast the buns.

To toast the buns, spread the melted butter on the six white bakery buns and place buns directly on grill. Toast buns until warmed and golden brown.

To assemble: spread equal portions of the goat cheese on each of the bottom buns, followed by equal portions of the caramelized onions. Put the hamburger patties on top of the caramelized onions. Add the two slices tomato to each burger and divide the baby arugula between the hamburgers. Drizzle the arugula with 1 tablespoon of honey mustard and place top bun on burger. Serve immediately.

Comments

Beware of the heat that a jalapeno can bring! If you have a particularly hot jalapeno, only use half.

Freshly toasted cumin works best, but if you do not have access to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, you can substitute the cumin seeds for 1 tablespoon of ground cumin.

Baby arugula is milder than regular arugula and is best for this recipe.